Vector Control

The Community Health Department is responsible for the mosquito spraying in the City of Del Rio. Mosquitos can cause outbreaks of several mosquito-borne diseases of public health concern in Texas, including encephalitis, West Nile virus, dengue fever and dog heartworm. Effective mosquito control helps to control mosquito populations to reduce or prevent these outbreaks and serves to enhance the enjoyment of outdoor activities by everyone in the community.

Vector Spray Pattern Map

(click on the map image to enlarge)

Spray Pattern for the 2018 Mosquito Season
(reference the chart below with corresponding week/day to the map above)

The programs begin the 4th Monday in May and ends the last Friday in October

At the end of week 2, the cycle will begin with week 1 and continue going through the cycle until the end of the mosquito season. IF WEATHER PERMITS.

In performing Mosquito Management, surveillance (identifying sites with mosquito larvae and collecting, identifying and testing mosquitoes) is essential for the planning, operation, and evaluation of an effective mosquito control program.

Other mosquito control functions include treating locations where there is standing water with larvicide to prevent mosquito larva from developing into adult mosquitoes and reducing adult mosquito populations using environmentally friendly methods and current technology and equipment.

One of the primary functions of the Vector Control Program is educating the public about eliminating mosquito breeding sites around the home, as well as enforcing City Ordinances against having properties with overgrown weeds and standing water.

For more information about Vector Control call (830) 774-7250.

How to prevent mosquito breeding

Look around the outside of your house and get rid of any tin cans, jars, plastic containers, plant pots, old tires and any other containers that can hold stagnant water.

Properly dispose of old tires.

Make sure roof gutters drain properly.

Keep all swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated even if they are not being used.

Remove any standing water from culverts.

Store plastic wading pools, buckets, barrels and wheelbarrows upside down so that the water cannot accumulate in them.

Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least once a week.

Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.

Weeds, tall grass and shrubbery provide an outdoor home for mosquitoes, so keep your yard trimmed.